Vamps in Chaos

Chapter Twenty-One: An Unexpected (Supernatural) Visitor

The morning after their "relaxation day," the loft was unusually calm. The enchanted furniture had finally settled down, and the fridge was even reciting its poetry in a whisper, as if understanding they all needed a peaceful morning. Babe was half-awake on the couch, scrolling through his phone, while Ollie rummaged in the kitchen, attempting to make a non-magical breakfast for once.

Billy, of course, was the only one fully dressed and immaculate, already deep in a book on ancient artifacts, oblivious to the morning light casting a soft glow around him. The loft had finally achieved a rare, serene atmosphere.

That is, until the doorbell rang.

Babe groaned, not ready to deal with visitors. "If it's another delivery, I swear..."

He dragged himself to the door, not bothering to check who it was, and swung it open. Standing on the doorstep was a vampire in a tailored suit so crisp it looked like it had been sewn straight onto him. He was tall, striking, with sharp, dark eyes and an effortless charm that somehow felt too polished.

"Draven?" Babe glanced back toward Billy, feeling an immediate shift in the air. Billy had looked up from his book, his expression unreadable.

"Babe," Billy said, his tone perfectly controlled. "This is Draven... an old friend."

Draven's lips curved in a faint smile as he looked around the loft, his gaze lingering on each enchanted item as if they were part of some peculiar display. "An... interesting abode," he said, his tone as smooth as glass, though Babe sensed the judgment hidden beneath it. "Quite modern. Different from Billy's usual taste."

The subtle barb didn't go unnoticed, but Babe just raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "We like to keep things cozy."

Ollie darted over, looking both fascinated and wary. "Hi! I'm Ollie. Welcome!"

Draven inclined his head, flashing a polished smile that made Ollie's eyes go wide. "A pleasure, young Ollie. It's rare to see Billy with such... lively company."

"Draven." Billy's voice, though polite, held a subtle warning. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, just passing through," Draven replied airily, strolling into the loft without an invitation. He took his time examining the decor, his lips twitching at the sight of Babe's surfer-style couch, and raised an eyebrow at the enchanted books, which were pretending to be arranged by "social compatibility" on the shelf. "I thought I'd see how my old friend was faring in... such modern surroundings."

Babe rolled his eyes, already finding Draven's charm grating. "So you're here to check up on him? You could've sent a text, y'know."

"Ah, yes," Draven said with a faint chuckle. "Texting. I can see why you might prefer a less... traditional approach."

Ollie, eager to impress, tried adding to the ambiance by enchanting the furniture to "be more welcoming," which only made things weirder. The armchair bowed slightly to Draven, and the coffee table adjusted itself, as if trying to stand to attention. Babe's couch made an awkward attempt to imitate a handshake, leading to the cushions rearranging themselves into an odd, lumpy shape.

Draven arched an eyebrow. "Charming," he said, clearly unimpressed.

Babe clenched his jaw, glancing toward Billy, who seemed oddly tense. "So, Billy," he said, drawing out the name with a tone of familiarity that set Babe's teeth on edge. "How have you been adapting to... all this?" He waved a hand at the loft, as though "this" was some strange phenomenon he couldn't quite comprehend.

"Quite well," Billy replied calmly. "It's been... enlightening."

"Enlightening?" Draven echoed, his voice a touch amused. "Interesting choice of words." He looked to Babe, studying him with a critical eye. "I take it you're responsible for Billy's... adaptation?"